Nectarine tree named &#39;Cakepearl&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, denominated ‘CAKEPEARL’, has a large flat fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive homogenous purple red skin color. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2010/0500 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘CAKEPEARL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘CAKEPEARL’. This new tree produces flat fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, large fruit with very good eating quality, flesh fruit for fresh market in early July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 11/434,796) and ASFNBF0671 (non-patented), standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘CAKEPEARL’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has a medium period flowering, a flat fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘CAKEPEARL’ flat nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested. The male parent is ‘FLATNICE’ (non-patented), white flat peach tree of first generation with fruit of a pink red blush color on a cream ground and the female parent ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) is a white nectarine tree with a very good productivity, very large and attractive fruit, firm and with a semi-sweet flavor. ‘FLATNICE’ (non-patented) is a flat white peach variety with a blooming period beginning in early March and a maturity in late July. Fruit is large and of a pink red color on a cream ground. ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) results from an open pollinated cross of ‘MAILLARMAGIE’ (Magique®) white nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent. As ‘MAILLARMAGIE’ (Magique®) nectarine tree has non-showy (campanulate) flowers, flowers blooming occur before pollen maturity. Cross-pollination with varieties in the vicinity of the mother-tree should have occurred. Pollen parent is unknown. It blooms in early March in South of France, more particularly one day after ‘MAILLARMAGIE’ (Magique®) variety, between March 3^(rd) and Mar. 15^(th). The first fruit of ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) nectarine tree ripens in July, more particularly about 3 to 4 days before the first fruit of ‘MAILLARMAGIE’ (Magique®) variety, between July 3^(rd) and July 13^(th). It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted.

The plant was reproduced asexually in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree ‘CAKEPEARL’ blooms in early March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period is considered medium and occurs between the 1^(st) March and the 5^(th) March. The first fruit of ‘CAKEPEARL’ ripens in early July, around 5 days before the first fruit of ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 11/434,796) variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens between the 7^(th) and the 15^(th) of July. This ripening time is the same as the reference variety ‘ASFNBF0671’ (non-patented). The fruit of ‘CAKEPEARL’ is more attractive than the fruit of ‘ASFNBF0671’ (non-patented) since it has a bright red color, a round form and a blush color on the totality of the fruit. The shelf life is also longer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and size view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph that shows several typical specimens of the fruit, on tree, at ripening time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that shows a close view of a typical fruit of the new variety ‘CAKEPEARL’ at ripening time.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘CAKEPEARL’ is high, due to white flat nectarine very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins medium in springtime. The type of flower is showy, with large to very large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and round. Time of maturity for consumption is considered medium. The fruit flesh is white with a red pigmentation under the skin and into the stone cavity. Fruit skin is very thick, of bright purple red color. The stone is of medium size and the flesh is adherent to semi-adherent. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘ASFNBF0671’ (non-patented) the time of maturity for consumption is the same, considered as semi-late. The fruit is more attractive with regards to presentation and blush color. The fruit form is more round with an intense and bright color on the totality of the fruit. The shelf life on the tree is longer.

Compared to ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 11/434,796) the maturity period is earlier of 5 days.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the fifth fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have been made on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Medium to high as compared to other common commercial             nectarine cultivars. The tree size the first year was             approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50             meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80             meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and             next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters with             current seasons shots length comprised.         -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was             oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines             spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same             tree line.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous. The present variety grew from about 60.0             centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the first             and following growing seasons. For second and following             seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate height of             2.50 meters.         -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very productive. A thinning of 1 fruits on 2 was             necessary for the tree valorization.         -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.             Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored             with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on             different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised             between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of             the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained             temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was             also very resistant to frosty springtime weather. In a             general manner, the flat fruit varieties are more sensitive             to critical low temperatures and to climatic variations.             This is due to the ovule that is less protected than in the             classical round fruits. The implantation is recommended             where the peach tree is able to grow and more particularly             in the ones that have the less frosts. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.5 centimeters and 7.0             centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately             30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the fourth             growing season.         -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the             second growing season. The lenticels range in size from             approximately 0.2 centimeters in height and about 0.2 to 0.6             centimeters in width.         -   Lentical color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a             silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C), whereas the inside             surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C-D).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little             more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201             B-C to RHS BLACK N200C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium to thick for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0             millimeters, and branches of trees from the third growing             season have a diameter comprised between 10.0 and 25.0             millimeters.         -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is             several years old has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Internode length.—Generally 22.0 millimeters to 30.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A-B).         -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips             is considered a light yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144             A-C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part             is colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE             GROUP 187 A-B to GREYED RED 182 A) following the position on             the shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements             have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season             growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is above 3.77.         -   Leaf length.—From 162.0 to 196.0 millimeters with leaf             petiole. Average length of 179.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—From 45.0 to 51.0 millimeters. Average width of             48.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal             axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green than the upper leaf surface             (RHS GREEN 137 B).         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145             C-D) and evolves with maturity.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one             or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 8.0 to 12.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Light green on the upper surface (RHS GREEN 143 B-C)             and light green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B) on the lower             surface. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0             millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 and sometimes 3.         -   Type.—Round.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered pale             green (RHS GREEN 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands color             turn to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A-B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers: -   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 13.0             millimeters wide and approximately 25.0 millimeters long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of             purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-B to GREYED             BROWN GROUP 199 A); the corolla formed by petals, is             generally of medium pink color (RHS RED PURPLE 65 A-B).             Petals color shows an evolution until the end of blooming.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,             with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The             current variety has not been intentionally subjected to             drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good             resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an             average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks             in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally early March. The first bloom was             observed on Mar. 1, 2005. Second to fifth blooms took place             respectively on Mar. 2, 2006, Mar. 2, 2007, Feb. 24, 2008,             Mar. 5, 2009 and Mar. 16, 2010 (exceptionally late due to             winter climatic conditions).         -   Blooming time.—Considered semi-early to semi-late in             relative comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars             grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The             date of full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 9 to 12 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered large to very large. Flower diameter             at full bloom is approximately 35.0 to 45.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 40             flowers per meter.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1. -   Petal:     -   -   Size.—Considered as large to very large for the species.         -   Length.—Generally about 24.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 24.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth.         -   Petal color.—Medium pink (RHS RED PURPLE 65 A-B) when young,             slightly darkening with advancing senescence.         -   Fragrance.—Soft. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             slightly rounded tip.         -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 7.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 5.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulating. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally complete at the             tip and round. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average             length of approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Average 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Brown to light brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C-D). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             purple-brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-D) color. The inner             surface is yellow green (RHS YELLOW 13 A-B to YELLOW GREEN             150 A-B). -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Medium. Ovoid shape.         -   Color.—A flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-B).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Average 40 stamens per             flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—Medium.         -   Color.—Yellow orange red color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 16 A-B).             Anthers are becoming brown (RHS GREYED RED 178 A) at             maturity. The color evolves with flowering.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B-C). The present variety is             auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 9.0 to 16.0             millimeters in length.         -   Color.—Considered pale pink (RHS RED PURPLE 62 C-D to RED             PURPLE 73 A-B). The color is evolving with flowering. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Length.—Approximately from 16.0 to 19.0 millimeters             including the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D to             RHS YELLOW GREEN 151 D). The color is evolving with             flowering.         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous. -   Fruits:     -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 15, 2010, exceptionally late due             to climatic conditions in winter 2010.         -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 24, 2010, exceptionally late due             to climatic conditions in winter 2010. The date of harvest             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large, with a homogeneous size between             them.         -   Average cheek diameter.—From 65.0 to 70.0 millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—From 40.0 millimeters 45.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 150.0 grams. This             characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Oblate. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from pistil end.         -   Fruit suture.—Very shallow and smooth, extending from the             base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists             along the suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the blush fruit             color, a homogenous bright purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187             B to RHS GREYED PURPLE 185 A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—In slight depression.         -   Base.—Shallow. Semi-flared. Shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 7.0             millimeters. Average width is about 13.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious             to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.         -   Tendency to crack.—None. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a homogenous bright purple             red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 B to RHS GREYED PURPLE 185 A).             The red blush covers 100% of the fruit skin surface.         -   Ground color.—None.         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 5.0 to 6.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 143 B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenous, slow, very evenly.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious, and juicy             at harvesting maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, sugared, aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised between 6             and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy and             aromatic.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS GREEN WHITE 157 C to YELLOW             GREEN 145 D) with a red pigmentation under the fruit skin in             the stone cavity and around the stone cavity (RHS RED 53             C-D). -   Stone:     -   -   Stone cavity.—Medium size, with a form and dimensions             corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—From 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—From 22.0 to 23.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—From 13.0 to 14.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Oblate and semi-round.         -   Base.—The stone base is straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is oblate. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is orange brown (RHS             GREYED ORANGE 174 C-D) with some zones of light brown (RHS             GREYED PURPLE 183 A-B).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—About 7.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 9.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—About 9.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Slightly pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE             164 A-B to 165 A-B). The almond is cream-white (RHS WHITE             155 B). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘CAKEPEARL’ is considered to be a             white flat nectarine tree of the medium season of maturity,             and which produces flat fruits that are considered large,             firm, and attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for             uncooked consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to             their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be             commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or             fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than             one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well             more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They             have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the             tree after growth completion and after harvesting without             alteration.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             flat nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh             or skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting             and packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during             harvest and packing and its long shelf life without             alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at             2° degree Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is low             sensitive to powdery mildew, and low sensitive to             conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong             skin.

Although the new variety of flat nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct white flat nectarine tree variety as illustrated and described, characterized by a large flat fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin color of a bright purple red. 